Woman admits bilking Social Security benefits

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. — A southwestern Illinois woman faces up to five years in federal prison now that she's admitted pocketing nearly $53,000 in Social Security benefits she didn't deserve.

Forty-five-year-old Jacqueline Burrell of Cahokia pleaded guilty in East St. Louis to concealment of a material fact from the Social Security Administration. She was indicted in June.

Prosecutors say Burrell admitted that from January 2003 through February 2008, she received Social Security benefits for her children without disclosing they were living with their father in California.